Mission Statement

The Center for Human Services exists to assist persons in McLean County who are in need of behavioral health services.

Vision Statement

The Center for Human Services provides recovery-oriented, community-based behavioral health services in the least restrictive setting. To this end, the Center offers quality care that is characterized by both clinically appropriate and cost-effective treatment.

The Center for Human Services has been a not-for-profit social service organization governed by a Board of Directors composed of residents of McLean County. The Board sets policy and direction and employs an Executive Director to administer the affairs of the organization.

The Center employs qualified staff with diverse, yet complementary backgrounds. The staff includes professionals trained in psychiatry, psychology, social work, and nursing.

The McLean County Center for Human Services began in 1927 as the Bloomington/Normal Child Guidance Clinic. Under the charter, it could not serve anyone over 16 years of age. The Clinic employed one full-time social worker and a number of part-time staff both local and from Peoria and Champaign. The Clinic was open only on weekends in the early years.

A growing realization that parents and other adults needed help too, led to reorganization as the McLean County Mental Health Center in 1955. The late 1950’s saw the beginnings of the community mental health approach and the Center became involved in local care for clients released from area hospitals. The staff grew with the increased number and range of clients and a full-time Executive Director was added.

In the late 1960’s, the state mental health offices added back-up support to the community efforts and a Medical Director was added to the full-time staff of approximately half a dozen people.

The Mental Health Center continued on this level until the mid-1970’s. The Crisis Component was added in the early 1970’s. The Center experienced a rapid growth period when the state’s Department of Mental Health gave responsibility and funding to the communities in the mid-1970’s. In 1976, YSA merged with the Center and in 1978, the day treatment facility was added. The staff had grown to 27.

In early 1980, the name was changed to the McLean County Center for Human Services, both in response to surveys outlining the negative reaction to the old name and to better reflect the increasing scope of the Center’s services to the community.

As of today, CHS currently employs approximately 80 full and part-time staff, with our main office at 108 W Market, along with buildings devoted to our Recovery and Residential Programs.

The Center for Human Services is currently licensed and certified by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

The Center is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

If you are interested in starting services with CHS, please call one of screening specialists at 309.827.5351 or simply come into our office (no appointment necessary) between the hours of 9a and 4p, Monday-Friday. Our staff will be happy to meet with you and discuss your options.

 The decision to start our services is a large one and there are a lot of myths about seeking help.

Let us clarify some things:

• It doesn’t mean you’re ‘crazy’ or weak
• It doesn’t mean you aren’t strong enough to fix your own problems
• It also doesn’t mean the counselor is going to ‘fix’ you, they can’t do the work for you

Part of the process requires you to share personal information that can be uncomfortable and sometimes emotionally painful. Our staff will guide you through this process teaching you coping skills to help manage uncomfortable emotions and physical responses. In general, you decide what issues to work on and how much you want to explore about yourself.

If you know of anyone whom you would like to refer to our services, please contact one of our screening specialists at 309.827.5351

Your “rights” are protected in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Illinois Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Code (405ILCS5).  

You have a right to:

•  all constitutional/legal rights.
•  all of your rights regardless of your sex, age, race, religion, color, creed, sexual orientation, financial status, disability or origin.
•  and responsibility to actively participate in your treatment.
• keep your information and record private and confidential, except when we are required by law to provide information. This may happen when there is threatened harm to self or others or suspected/reported abuse or neglect. You will receive further information regarding these exceptions at your orientation. Otherwise, to release protected health information about you, we will complete and ask you to sign a release of information form.
• say yes or no regarding treatment recommendations/services.
• a safe environment and to be informed regarding the facility evacuation plan
• ask your therapist any questions regarding infection control practices.
•  complain, in writing, and to have a response to that complaint.
•  expect the Center to maintain a high standard of ethics in regard to you and your treatment.
•  receive the least restrictive and individualized services/treatment.
• know of the qualifications of your therapist and the techniques or approaches used in your treatment, which will be explained to you by your assigned therapist.
•  ask your therapist how you are doing in your course of treatment.
•  know about the program hours of operation, services, and activities available to you and the cost of those services.
•  know the rules and expectations of the therapist.
•  know who to contact when you have questions, which is listed on page 3 of this handout.
•    purchase services from private physicians and other mental health professionals
• discontinue treatment or refuse specific services at any time (except those under court order) but we would appreciate you notifying us in advance so we can reschedule the time.
•  Be free from abuse & neglect, as well as know who to report concerns of abuse (physical injury,sexual or mental injury), neglect, exploitation (someone taking unjust advantage of you financially or sexually for their own benefit or advantage) or humiliation (not treating you with respect and dignity.)
•  know that your therapist may choose to share your file with other professionals in the Center to gain advice from them in order to provide you with the best possible services.
•  know that your therapist may recommend you work with a different therapist at the Center, but will only do so for good cause and after discussion with you. This includes immediate, pending, and potential future needs.
•  participate in any research study with written informed consent. A specific “release of information” will also be required, in writing, to allow use and disclosure of any of your personal information for the research.
• not participate in any research study. This will not affect your treatment, payment or enrollment in a health plan, or affect your eligibility for benefits.
•  know that we may ask, at any time, how we are doing in providing you the care/services  recommended.
•  report when you feel any of your rights have been violated
•  offer suggestions and/or raise your concerns about our organization and that you can file a formal grievance if you are dissatisfied with services.
• know that you are free from retaliation (revenge) for exercising any of your rights and will not be denied, suspended, or terminated from services or have services reduced.

You are responsible:

• for your health care.
• for your actions if you decide not to follow the health care provider’s instructions.
• to report any information about your condition, including changes in your health or reaction to medication.
• for following your treatment plan agreed upon by you and your health care provider.
• for your payments, to the best of your ability.
• to keep and show up on time for your appointments.
• not to bring firearms or weapons (including knives) to any Center location.
• not to bring any alcohol or illicit drugs to any Center location. Prescription medications should be brought in only if dose is packed and kept on your person.  
• to be clean and sober when you come to any Center location.
• to follow health and safety practices.
• not to use any form of tobacco products while in any Center location.
• to wear appropriate dress while at any Center location.

One of the hardest decisions you may ever have to make is deciding whether or not your child needs counseling. It is important to remember that seeking professional help indicates that:

• You want what’s best for your child and family.
• You are aware that problems exist.
• You are willing to take responsible action to solve the problem.

To help us treat your child, you (and possibly other family members) will need to participate in your child’s counseling. Due to children’s need for consistency, you and your child are encouraged to make every appointment with your therapist. If an emergency or change in school schedule prevents this, a phone call should be made as soon as possible to CHS to cancel and reschedule the appointment. Your therapist can be reached at 309-827-5351.

We also ask that you do not bring your child to appointments if he/she:

• Stayed home from school due to illness the day of the appointment, or left school early due to illness.
• Has had a temperature in the last 24 hours.
• Has head lice, impetigo, or any other contagious illness.

Once again, please call 309-827-5351 to make your therapist aware of any problems listed above as soon as you can. We will be happy to reschedule your appointment. If you do bring a child who appears to be ill, your therapist may choose not to see your child that day and will reschedule. If you cancel an appointment due to medical illness, you will not be charged for a missed appointment.

Please discuss any problems interfering with your ability to fully participate in counseling with your therapist. If keeping appointments becomes problematic, your therapist will discuss this with you. Inconsistent attendance may be grounds for termination of services.

Your cooperation and participation is important. You are our “eyes” and “ears” into your home and without your insights and observations about what is occurring, we will be unable to determine either the severity of the problems or whether or not counseling is having a positive impact on your family. At times, we may also need your help in completing certain tasks between counseling sessions. Depending upon the individual needs of your family, these tasks may include:

• Reading certain articles
• Keeping records
• Attending classes
• Completing homework assignments

Please remember to remain committed to counseling. Inconsistent participation on the part of either you or your family can create more problems than it can solve.

The relationship between you and your counselor is very important to the success of your treatment. Attending all scheduled sessions helps build a foundation allowing for the important, sometimes difficult work that needs to be done in your treatment. Additionally, State regulations require us to complete various assessments and other documentation at regular intervals. For these reasons, the agency enforces an attendance policy.

While we understand that you may have to miss an occasional appointment, multiple missed/canceled appointments may lead to CHS closing your file. Your ability to receive services again will not be guaranteed. Staff will discuss attendance issues with you if necessary. If you do need to cancel an appointment, please notify us as soon as possible.